JPH026528B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical instrument is provided with a chemiluminescent light source for inspection and examination of a body. The light source (26) comprises at least two compartments (30, 32) separated by a barrier (34), each compartment filled with a suitable fluorescing component, such that by breaking the barrier between the compartments and causing admixing of the components, a chemical reaction occurs which produces the chemiluminescent effect. In a particular embodiment an endoscopic instrument, such as a vaginal speculum, is provided having cooperating upper and lower dilator blades (4, 6) pivotally connected to each other, a means (22) associated with at least one dilator blade for releasably engaging thereto a chemiluminescent light source adapted to direct its light intermediate the dilator blades in their spaced apart position to illuminate the body cavity being examined.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to medical diagnostic instruments, and more particularly to endoscopes including means for illuminating a body cavity to be examined.

The invention also relates to illumination means for use in medical diagnostic instruments, in particular for use with endoscopes,
This invention relates to a lighting means that can be removed and thrown away.

The problem of illuminating body cavities such as the throat, vaginal cavity, and rectal cavity via an endoscope has been a problem facing the medical profession for many years.

Various medical devices have been proposed for use by physicians to illuminate the interior of various body cavities during observations and examinations.
For example, lighting devices have been proposed for examining the ear, rectum, bladder and urinary tract. however,
Such devices often present problems with respect to disinfection prior to use and disposal after use. Moreover, these devices have not generally been used for vaginal examinations by medical professionals and are in fact poorly suited for such use.

Illumination devices that have been proposed for vaginal examination speculum have generally been unsatisfactory for various reasons. In many cases, these lighting devices obstruct the view of the deep inner part of the vaginal cavity, are unable to satisfactorily illuminate the deep interior of the vaginal cavity, and in most cases the proposed device is They require sterilization along with the speculum or are designed to come into contact with cavities and must be sterilized after each use. lastly,
Most, if not all, known lighting devices use electric light sources for the necessary illumination;
This puts the patient at risk of electric shock and exposes sensitive areas to the heat of the incandescent light source.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to endoscopes having illumination means. The invention also relates to a speculum, in particular a speculum, having illumination means. Still further, the present invention relates to a medical examination light source comprising a chemiluminescent light source suitable for use with known endoscopes and speculators. The medical examination light source is designed to be removably secured to an endoscopic device. This medical examination light source is of very simple, safe and economical construction, so that it can be thrown away after use, thereby eliminating the need for lengthy disinfection procedures.
The medical examination light source described in this text does not conduct any dangerous electrical current into the body cavity, and the medical examination light source is not suitable for use in hot areas where contact with the inner wall of the body cavity being examined may cause pain. It does not occur.

As is well known, an endoscope is an instrument that includes a light source to illuminate the interior of a body cavity so that it can be examined. The medical examination light source of the present invention can act as such a light source. Also, as is well known, a specular is a device that dilates and holds open a body cavity for examination. A speculum equipped with a medical examination light source of the present invention can also be considered an endoscope, and shall be considered as such in this text. The term "endoscopic device" as used herein shall cover both endoscopes and speculars equipped with the medical examination light source of the present invention.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a medical instrument, in particular an endoscope, which includes means for illuminating the body cavity being examined.

Another object of the invention is to provide a medical examination light source associated with a medical diagnostic instrument, in particular an endoscope adapted to illuminate a body cavity to be examined.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a medical examination light source for a medical diagnostic instrument, in particular an endoscope capable of illuminating a body cavity to be examined and capable of being removed from said cavity. It is in.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a medical examination light source associated with a medical diagnostic instrument, which is particularly capable of illuminating a body cavity to be examined, and which is simple and economical in construction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical examination light source for an endoscope that can be disposed of after use, thereby eliminating the need for a long disinfection time.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a medical examination light source associated with a medical diagnostic instrument, in particular capable of illuminating a body cavity to be examined; Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical inspection light source for an endoscope that does not introduce current into its surroundings.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a medical examination light source associated with a medical diagnostic instrument, in particular capable of illuminating a body cavity to be examined, or the body cavity to be examined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical examination light source for an endoscope that does not create a hot area that can cause painful contact with the surrounding internal walls.

Another important object of the invention is that it includes a medical instrument, in particular a means for illuminating the body cavity to be examined, and that it is quickly and easily sterilized without having to take special precautions to protect it. Our goal is to provide an endoscope that can

Another important object of the invention is to provide a medical instrument, in particular an endoscope, which includes means for illuminating the body cavity to be examined, and which is simple and economical in construction and which is disposable after use. It's about doing.

In an embodiment, one aspect of the present invention relates to an endoscopic device that is equipped with a medical examination light that includes a chemiluminescent light source. The chemiluminescent light source has at least two chambers separated by a breakable wall, each chamber comprising a sealed light transmission tube with a chemiluminescent element. The chemiluminescent light source is attached to a portion of the endoscope by the adhesive back of the light delivery tube. After the test, the chemiluminescent light source can be easily removed from the endoscope. As mentioned above, a speculum equipped with a medical examination light is considered to be an endoscope device in this text. Thus, in its broadest aspect, an endoscopic device may be a medical diagnostic instrument to which the medical examination light of the present invention is attached.

Another, more particular aspect of the invention relates, in embodiments, to a colposcope having cooperating upper and lower dilator blades operatively connected in a selectively adjustable manner. , a medical examination light comprising a chemiluminescent light source having at least two chambers separated by a breakable wall, each of the chambers having a sealed flexible light transmission tube having a chemiluminescent element. at least one rib-like member on the surface of the at least one dilator blade between the dilator blades having a channel configured to removably snap-fit to receive and retain the dilator blade. The tube is
It is provided to be removably snap-fit received and retained in the channel of the rib-like member and to direct the light body interposed between the upper and lower dilator blades into their extended position.

In embodiments, another aspect of the invention is a medical examination light that can be removably secured to an endoscope or speculum. In one embodiment,
The specular is of a type having a body and a plurality of dilator members extending from the body. The medical test light includes a sealed light transmission tube having at least two chambers. the tube is removably snap-fit received and retained in a channel of at least one rib-like member in a surface of at least one dilator blade between the dilator blades; They are arranged to direct the light bodies therebetween to their extended position. Alternatively, a portion of the tube may be provided with an adhesive backing for temporarily and removably securing the test light to an endoscope or speculum.

The above and other objects of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

Detailed description of examples Much of the detailed description below relates specifically to colposcopes.

However, it is readily apparent that the present invention is not only suitable for use in all specular systems, but can also serve as a light source for all endoscopic devices for illumination and examination of several body cavities. It is possible.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout in each figure, illustrating a specular according to the invention. The device consists of a handle 2 connected to a lower dilator blade 4 and an upper dilator blade 6 having a second handle 8. The handle 8 is slidably and adjustably connected to the handle 2 by a slot 10 in the handle 8 which engages a pivot pin 12 of the handle 2. The upper dilator blade of the speculum is provided with an extension locking piece 14 that allows the clinician to hold the separate ends of the two dilator blades in place within the vagina when the blades are pivoted relative to each other on the pivot pin 12. It is possible to maintain the A plurality of rib-like members 22 are located on the interior surface of the upper dilator blade 6 intermediate the two dilator blades and therein a medical examination light 26.
It has a channel 24 provided for removably snap-fit receiving and retention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two additional channels into which a medical test light 26 can be removably snap-fitted and retained.

The medical test light body 26 is a hermetically sealed chamber that emits light by chemiluminescent means and has at least two chambers 30 and 32 separated by a breakable wall 34 having a chemiluminescent element in each chamber. It has a bendable light transmission tube 28. One chamber contains the fluorescent element and the other contains the activator element. Mixing these elements produces a chemiluminescent effect, as is well known. Tube 28 has a cross-sectional shape that can be received and retained in channel 24 in a removable snap-fit connection. As described below, once in place and activated, the medical examination light 26 connects the two dilator blades in an expanded position to illuminate the interior of the body for the physician performing the examination. Aim the light in the middle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-15, only the structural features that differ from those described in FIGS. 1-5 are shown. The upper dilator blade 40 has a peripheral flange 42 along most of its lower periphery;
2 located in a widened position adjacent to the inner surface of 0
A medical examination light 44 is adapted to be received and retained by a frictionally sliding fit between the two dilator blades.

The medical test light 44 is emitted by chemiluminescent means and has at least two chambers 48 and 50 separated by a breakable wall 52 having a chemiluminescent element in each chamber. It has a sealed flexible light transmission bag member 46. The bladder member 46 has a shape that conforms to the inner surface of the upper dilator blade 40 so as to be received and held in a frictional slip fit. In particular, the medical test light 44 is held in place by abutting the peripheral flange of the upper dilator blade and the lower peripheral border of the bag member, thereby preventing downward movement of the bag member. That's how I do it.

In use, the medical examination light is slid into the dilator blade from a rearward position of the dilator blade until it is held in place by a peripheral flange of the dilator blade. It is assembled by inserting it. To remove the medical test light when it is no longer needed, the light can be pulled behind the dilator blade.

6-20 illustrate another embodiment of the device just described in which an aperture 80 is added to the extension of the dilator blade 82 through which a thumb or the like can be passed. The chemiluminescent
-scence).

In another embodiment of the invention, the medical test light body comprises:
The body can be removably secured to a specular device similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3 having a plurality of dilator members extending from the body. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, which show partial views of an upper dilator blade 60 having a medical test light removably secured thereto.

The medical test light body 62 includes a sealed flexible light transmitting bag member 64 having at least two chambers 64 and 68 separated by a breakable wall 70 having a chemiluminescent element in each chamber. has.

The photogenerating bladder member 64 is attached to the inner surface of the resilient sleeve member 72 with an end opening generally parallel to its longitudinal axis. Sleeve 72 is substantially light transmitting in the area of bag member 64 and is of sufficient size to encircle the extension of dilator blade 60 so as to allow it to be removably but not tightly rubbed. It fits, receives and retains.

To use the medical test light described herein, the physician first activates the photogenerating bag member and then slides the resilient sleeve member over the extension of the dilator blade, as described elsewhere. . Speciura is now available for use by doctors.

To dispose of the medical test light upon completion of the test, simply remove the resilient sleeve member from the blade by pulling or pushing the resilient sleeve member toward the distal end of the expansion blade. That's fine.

This embodiment of the invention, which utilizes a resilient sleeve member to operatively hold the photogenerating bag member in place, is suitable for use with any type of specular device currently commonly used by physicians. There is an advantage. This embodiment thus allows the invention to be used with existing speculars with little modification required.

The foregoing embodiment of the present invention, which uses a removable snap-fitting mechanism located on the intermediate surface of the dilator blade, may also be suitable in new speculars, such as disposable speculars made of plastic or the like. You'll understand. In this specular device, the rib-like member with the retaining channel can be easily connected or formed integrally with the specular device itself.

Generally, to activate chemiluminescence in a light-containing bag member, pressure is applied to rupture a breakable wall separating the chemical elements necessary to produce chemiluminescence. . The chemiluminescent light source is activated before attaching it to the specular. This method may be the easiest and preferred method of activating a chemiluminescent light source.

FIG. 4 shows a chemiluminescent light source attached to a specular. Figure 5 shows the chemical elements that react to produce luminescence.

In another embodiment, the rib-like member may have one or more channels for removably snap-fitting receiving and retaining one or more chemiluminescent light sources therein, as shown in FIG. good.

Another embodiment of a medical inspection light is depicted in FIGS. 21-25. In this embodiment, the medical examination light 90 is provided with an adhesive backing 92 that allows the light to be attached to an endoscopic device (endoscope or specular) 94. This adhesive backing is protected by a membrane (not shown) and is peeled off from the adhesive when it is desired to attach the medical inspection light to the endoscopic device. The endoscopic device may be a colposcope, as described above, or any of the various speculum or endoscopes known to those skilled in the art having a surface to which a medical examination light 90 may be attached.

As previously mentioned, the medical test light body produces light by chemiluminescent means and includes a breakable wall 1 with chemiluminescent elements in each chamber.
The light transmission tube 96 has at least two chambers 98 and 100 separated by 02. Tube 96 has a cross-sectional shape adapted to be received by endoscopic device 94 by adhesive material 92 . As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, tube 96 is provided with a flange or rib 104 having a curvilinear shape nearly identical to that of the endoscopic device to which it is attached.

The activating action that produces the chemiluminescent effect is
As shown in FIG. 24, the plunger 1
This is done by pushing the 08 down towards the wall. The two chemiluminescent elements in chambers 98 and 100 react to produce the desired effect. In operation, the physician depresses the plunger to break the wall, optionally vibrates the tube to hasten the chemical reaction, and peels off the adhesive protective coating and attaches the tube to the adhesive. The lighted device is fixed to the endoscope device so that it can be attached to the endoscope device.

Sealing of chambers 98 and 100 is accomplished by end cap 1.
This is conveniently achieved by providing one chamber with the plunger 106 and the other chamber with the plunger 108.

As shown in FIG. 21, the shaft 112 of the plunger 108 is provided with an O-ring seal 114 which is placed in a slot 116 to seal the chamber 100 and thus prevent chemiluminescent fluid from leaking out of the tube 96. I have to. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 23, the shaft 112 of plunger 108 may be provided with a bead 118 integrally formed as part of the plunger to achieve the same result. Other means are
A seal may be suitably used to prevent leakage of the chemiluminescent liquid. Stopping means may be used to securely retain plunger 108 in tube 96.

All parts of the medical inspection light body 90 (tube 9
6, wall 102, end cap 106 and plunger 108) conveniently comprise plastic material. Examples of such plastic materials include medical grade polystyrene and polypropylene. If somewhat rigid polystyrene is used, then wall 102
8 and 100 will be provided with a rigid web separating them. If semi-rigid polypropylene is used, it can then be provided with slits or feather cuts to allow fluid communication between the chambers. In this latter case, the viscosity of the fluids prevents commingling and thus chemical reaction until the wall is pierced by the plunger and the fluids can mix.

In yet another embodiment, chambers 98 and 10
At least one of the 0 contains a frangible glass ampoule filled with a suitable chemiluminescent element. If a malleable plastic is used as the tube 96 material, the tube can be squeezed, such as between the fingers, to break the ampoule and initiate the chemical reaction. If one of the chambers contains a glass ampoule, the plunger 108 can also be used to separately break the ampoule. Alternatively, if each chamber contains a glass ampoule, then the plunger can be omitted and an end cap used in its place.

Advantageously, medical examination light 90 is suitable for use with all endoscopes and speculas commonly used by physicians. Thus,
In this embodiment, the present invention can be used in existing endoscopes and speculars that require almost no modification.

Regardless of the type of endoscopic device used, the medical examination light of the present invention is capable of observing and examining the interior of various body cavities. Histological examination is also possible. I mean,
This is because diseased tissue often looks different from normal tissue, especially when treated with special chemicals or swabbed as in the known art.

The invention as described above is, of course, susceptible to many variations within the skill of the art, and all such variations are therefore intended to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a side elevational view of a specular according to the invention showing the illumination source in dotted lines; FIG. 2 is a top view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 showing the illumination source; FIG.
4- in Figure 2 showing the illumination source in operation.
The cross-sectional view along line 4, Figure 6, is 6- in Figure 2.
The cross-sectional view along line 6, FIG. 7, is 6- in FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the speculum according to the invention along line 6, and FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the speculum with the medical examination light source device of the invention in place. is a view along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a view along the line 10-10 of FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is a view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 shows the illumination light source as a dotted line,
A partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a specular according to the invention, FIG. 13 taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 taken along line 14-14 of FIG. The ivy diagram, Figure 15, is 15-15 in Figure 14.
16 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the specular according to the invention; FIG.
Figure 16 is a view along line 17-17, Figure 18 is a view along line 18-18 in Figure 16,
The figures are a cross-sectional view taken along line 19--19 of figure 17; figure 20 is a view similar to figure 19 illustrating the illumination source in actuation; figure 21 is a view of the main body before actuation; Cross-sectional view of the medical inspection light body according to the invention, second
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21, and FIG. 23 is a view similar to the portion of FIG. 21 showing another embodiment of the plunger portion of the medical inspection light body. 24 is a view similar to that of FIG. 21 showing the attachment of a medical examination light to an endoscopic device, with the plunger depicted in the actuated position; FIG. 24 is a side view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 24. FIG. 2...handle, 4...lower dilator blade,
6...Upper dilator blade, 8...Auxiliary handle, 10...Slot, 12...Pivot pin,
14... Lock tab, 22... Rib-shaped member, 24
... Channel, 26 ... Medical inspection light body, 28 ...
...Light transmission tube, 30, 32...Chamber, 34...
Wall, 42... Flange, 64... Bag-shaped member, 72
...Sleeve member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. (a) a medical device body modified to receive a light source; (b) adapted to fit the contour of the medical device body and attached to the medical device body; a chemiluminescent light source attached to said medical instrument, said medical instrument including an examination light comprising a light transmitter having an attachment device for said medical instrument; 2. The chemiluminescent light source further comprises: (a) at least two sealed compartments within the light carrier, the compartments being separated by a permeable wall, and each of the compartments (b) a device for rupturing said wall to enable said components to mix and emit fluorescence; A medical device according to claim 1, comprising: 3. that the device for rupturing said wall comprises a plunger located in one of said compartments, said plunger comprising a needle for piercing said wall and a sealing device for keeping said compartment sealed; A medical device according to claim 2, comprising: 4. said photoconductor comprises a conformable plastic and at least one of said compartments comprises a frangible glass ampoule containing a fluorescent component;
2. The endoscopy instrument according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent component that destroys the ampoule mixes with another fluorescent component to emit fluorescence. 5. Claim 1, wherein the light source is firmly attached to the device body.
Medical equipment as described in Section. 6. The medical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the light source is removably attached to the medical instrument main body. 7. A medical examination light that can be removably fixed to an endoscope examination instrument, and includes a chemiluminescence light device that generates fluorescence, and a chemiluminescence light device that is attached to the chemiluminescence light device and that emits the light into a part of the endoscope instrument. and a mounting device for removably fixing the device to the medical examination light device. 8 (a) a portion of the outer surface is adapted to fit around the outer circumference of the endoscopic examination instrument, and is provided with an adhesive layer for attachment to the endoscopic examination instrument;
(b) at least two sealed compartments within said body separated by a wall, each containing a fluorescent component capable of emitting fluorescence when mixed with components of the other compartment; (c) a device for disrupting the wall so as to cause mixing of the components, thereby emitting fluorescence due to the reaction between them. Medical inspection light device. 9. The breaking device comprises a plunger whose part extends into one of the compartments and which part is provided with a needle for piercing the wall and a sealing device for keeping the compartment sealed. A medical examination light device according to claim 8. 10. Claim 7, wherein said sealing device comprises an O-ring received in a slot formed in said portion of said plunger.
The medical examination light device described in 2. 11. The medical examination light device of claim 9, wherein the sealing device comprises a bead formed on the portion of the plunger. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of said compartments comprises a friable glass ampoule containing said fluorescent component, said glass ampoule being easily crushable. Medical inspection light device. 13 a body, a plurality of dilator members extending from the body, and an attachment device associated with the member for securing a chemiluminescent light source to at least one of the dilator members; an endoscopic device comprising: a luminescent light source configured to be secured to at least one of the dilator members and adapted to direct the light thereinto into the dilator member in an extended position; . 14. The plurality of dilator members include cooperating upper and lower dilator blades that open with the body and separate the dilator members to widen the opening. The endoscope device according to item 13. 15. The invention of claim 14, wherein the body includes an elevation device adjustable with the lower dilator blade and a pivot of the elevation device with the upper dilator blade pivotably movable. The endoscopic device described. 16. The attachment device comprises at least one rib-like member on a surface of at least one dilator blade intermediate the dilator blades, the rib-like member being a removable snap-fastener for attaching the chemical 14. An endoscopic device as claimed in claim 13, including a channel for receiving and retaining a luminescent light source therein. 17. the attachment device for engaging the chemiluminescent light source includes a circumferential flange disposed along a majority of the lower circumference of the at least one dilator blade, the flange defining a space between the blades; configured to receive and retain the chemiluminescent light source in a friction snap fit engagement with an inner surface of the dilator blade intermediate the dilator blade when the dilator blade is disposed in spaced relationship; The endoscope apparatus according to claim 13, comprising: 18. The chemiluminescent light source comprises: an external flexible light transmission tube closed at both ends; an internal rigid breakable tube disposed within the external tube and closed at both ends; and a chemiluminescent component in each of the tubes. 14. The endoscopic device of claim 13, comprising: fluorescence occurring when the breakable inner tube is broken and its components mix with those of the outer tube. 19. The chemiluminescent light source comprises a sealed flexible light transmission tube having at least two compartments separated by a destructible wall and having a chemiluminescent component in each of the compartments, the tube comprising: Claim 16 comprising receiving and retaining a removable snap fit in said channel of a rib-like member and directing light intermediate said upper and lower dilator blades in an extended position. The endoscopic device described in Section 1. 20 The dilator blade adjacent the chemiluminescent light source includes an aperture through which pressure can be applied to activate the chemiluminescent light source. The endoscope device according to item 19. 21. The endoscopic device of claim 13, wherein the chemiluminescent light source is substantially permanently attached to the instrument. 22. A specular-fixed medical test light of the type having a body and a plurality of dilator members extending from the body, the specular-mounted medical test light having a plurality of dilator members removably fixed to one of said dilator members and spaced apart from each other. A medical device comprising a chemiluminescent light device adapted to direct its light intermediate said dilator member in position and a fixation device adapted to secure said chemiluminescent light device to said dilator member. Inspection light body. 23. The medical examination light body according to claim 22, wherein the fixing device includes removably fixing the light to the specular. 24. The chemiluminescent light device has at least two compartments separated by a breakable wall, each of the separated compartments having a chemiluminescent component in a sealed flexible light transmitting bag. 23. The medical inspection light body according to claim 22, comprising a shaped member. 25. The fixation device is open at at least one end and operatively connected to the bladder member and for receiving and retaining the dilator member therein in a removably fixed friction fit. 24. A medical examination light as claimed in claim 23, including comprising a resilient sleeve member having dimensions sufficient to enclose one extension of the medical examination light body. 26. The chemiluminescent light source comprises an external flexible light transmitting tube closed at both ends and an interior concentrically contained rigid breakable tube closed at both ends, each of the tubes having a chemiluminescent light transmitting tube. 26. The medical inspection light body according to claim 25, which comprises a component.